A Crime Against Humanity

After the J&K Police Crime Branch took the lead in brutal Asifa rape and murder case, political parties and local Hindu groups played the communal card and rallied for support in favour of those who were arrested. Marches organized by Hindu Ekta Manch, a platform set up by affiliates of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sang, has been pursuing a path to prove that the investigation is flawed and the arrested persons are innocent because all of them happen to be Hindus.

The two senior ministers of the PDP-BJP combine, Lal Sing and Chander Parkash Ganga, had too joined the agitation. Lawyers went on strike to prevent the police from filling the chargesheet. Ironically none of them have been arrested for trying to obstruct course of justice.

Further, it can be argued that the rape was a deliberate plan to terrorize the Muslim Gujjar-Bakarwal community to vacate the area. The Gujjar and Bakherwals, recognized as Scheduled Tribes, are Muslims by belief. The New York Times newspaper wrote that the incident seemed another isolated, horrific episode of sexual violence in India, perpetrated against a powerless girl by brutal men. But in the months since Asifas murder, the case has become another battleground in Indias religious wars.

In fact, the electronic media, although belatedly, is now campaigning for justice for Asifa. The social media is also boiling with anger over the inhuman and horrific incident. The hasting justice for Asifa is trending over twitter with over more than two lakh tweets on the subject till this date.

The Asifas father, United Nations chief, politicians, sportsmen Bollywood stars, student organizations have also expressed shock over the crime and demanded Justice for Asifa.

Asifas father

Asifas father said that we searched for Asifa everywhere but did not search inside the temple; we knew that it is a very sacred place.

Antonio Guterres

UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, wants Indian authorities to ensure that the perpetrators of the “horrific” gang rape and murder of an eight-year-old girl Kathua are brought to justice.

Rahul Gandhi

Rahul Gandhi, the Indian National Congress president called the incident as a crime against humanity”.”How can anyone protect the culprits of such evil? What happened to Asifa at #Kathua is a crime against humanity. It cannot go unpunished. What have we become if we allow politics to interfere with such unimaginable brutality perpetrated on an innocent child?”

Shoaib Akhtar

Pakistani cricketer, Shoaib Akhtar tweeted that Really sad to see this we already lost Zanib & now her. Hindu Muslim or any other religion these are our daughters those who are humiliated in our cities & and villages perhaps we need to start punishing the culprits with iron & show no mercy.. Just hang them..

Sania Mirza

Sania Mirza, tennis star tweeted that Is this really the kind of country we want to be known in the world today? If we cant stand up now for this 8 year old girl regardless of our gender, caste, colour or religion then we dont stand for anything in this world, not even humanity. makes me sick to the stomach,

Sanjay Dutt

Bollywood actor Sanjay Dutt said that We have failed as a society! Being a father, I am shaken and filled with anger reading about what happened to an 8 year old kid. My heart goes out to Asifa’s family. I refuse to accept we really let THIS happen. Justice has to be served NOW,

Sabzar Ahmad Bhat

[email protected]

Be Part of Quality Journalism

Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast.

ACT NOW